Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, May 16: Efforts are on to rescue all the nine crew members of the tugboat 'Coromondel' which got stranded after hitting rocks off Mulky coast here on Sunday May 16, said Dakshina Kannada district administration.
This came a day after 'Alliance' tugboat capsized near Kaup. One person died, three swam to safety and four others went missing in the incident.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V informed that on May 13, the Indian Metrology Department issued warning on cyclone Tauktae. The district administration had communicated the same to the public. As per NMPT, even they had issued a warning. "MRPL's outsourcing agency M/s 'Underwater' Services Company Ltd used tug 'Alliance' for offshore support, which did not return the same night. To find out the exact reason for this incident, we are trying to avail information from MRPL and NMPT," he said.
"While the tug was returning on May 15 morning, it lost telecommunication and capsized. There were eight crew members in it, of which, three people reached the shore and are safe. Two mortal remains have been traced. One body was recovered yesterday and another one today. Still three people are missing. The three people who reached the shore are undergoing treatment in Udupi and Malpe hospitals. The remains of the tugboat have been traced in Padubidri. A rescue operation is on to trace three who went missing from the boat," he informed.
On the 'Coromondel' tugboat incident, the deputy commissioner said, "'Cormondel's contract with MRPL expired six months ago. Since then the vessel was anchored in NMPT. In this regard, I have asked the concerned to submit a report. There were nine people in the tugboat, and it drifted during the night. To find out the exact reason, we have sought a report from NMPT. The nine people are trapped among rocks at a spot off Mulky due to bad weather. INS Varaha of the Indian Coast Guard is watching the boat from around 500 meters to 1000 kilometers away.
"As the weather condition is bad, the sea is very rough, with waves rising to 5 to 6 meters and heavy winds of 25 knots, it is a bit difficult to rescue them. Efforts are on to rescue stranded members of the boat with the help of choppers of the Indian Navy. The state government has already consulted the Indian Navy in this regard. As per the present information, Indian Navy has confirmed the rescue operations. If the weather condition is conducive, choppers from Goa will arrive and rescue stranded crew members," he said.
"The nine people who are stuck among rocks are four miles away from the shore. They have worn life jackets. It is learnt that they have groceries and water available in the tugboat. As they anchored the boat, it is has stuck among the rocks. The district administration has conducted a meeting with Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, MRPL, and NMPT in this regard to save the stranded people. The district administration is completely monitoring the process. The chief minister's office, chief secretary's office and principal secretary of the revenue department and disaster manangement commissioner have sought information from the administration. We are taking all types of measures to rescue all the nine crew members. Our first priority is to rescue them. Later violations will be reported to the government," the DC informed.